"I liked the coaches, especially the head coach, coach (Garrick) McGee," McCollum said. "I like how the program is developing. We'll be able to win games and get to bowl games there."

Two other factors were UAB's proximity to home and McCollum's familiarity with current Blazer players and commitments, including linebacker Brandon Fuller, his high school teammate who is also a 2013 verbal.

McCollum had trimmed his list to UAB, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama and Western Kentucky before deciding on the Blazers.